In a breakthrough for the mining industry, Fortescue Metals Group has set a new world record with the introduction of the Liebherr R 9400 E , an electric excavator of colossal proportions.
The world’s largest electric excavator was tested
During its testing period, this machine has managed to excavate more than one million tons, demonstrating its capacity and efficiency. The company, excited by the results and the considerable cost savings, has ambitious plans to replace its current fleet of machinery with these innovative excavators, which would represent an annual saving of 95 million liters of diesel .
Furthermore, the aforementioned company and owner of this excavator has adopted the strategy of eliminating the use of fossil fuels not only as an environmental measure to combat climate change, but also as an effective way to reduce significant operating costs.
Located at the Christmas Creek mine in Western Australia, the Liebherr R 9400 E has moved from a testing phase to full operation. This achievement is made possible by a combination of solar power and a 6.6 kV substation that supplies power directly to the excavator’s electric motors through a high-voltage cable system. This design allows the machine to operate entirely on renewable energy , highlighting its superior efficiency and capacity compared to diesel excavators.
Aiming for decarbonization
Dino Otranto, CEO of Fortescue Metals, highlighted this achievement as a crucial step in the company’s commitment to decarbonization. With the success achieved, Fortescue plans to expand its fleet with two new electric excavators very soon. This initiative is part of a broader plan that seeks to progressively eliminate the use of diesel machinery, which could reduce up to 250,000 tons of CO₂ emissions per year . In addition to being an ecological strategy, this transition promises to be profitable by eliminating fuel costs.
Importantly, the transition to cleaner technologies in mining represents an advance in environmental sustainability and offers considerable economic potential. The initial investment in electrical machinery may be high, but the long-term savings on fossil fuels and maintenance can be substantial, encouraging more companies to consider these innovative solutions.
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Source: elconfidencial.com
Photo: Liebherr
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